Advocacy@UOW
People and Positions
University Policies
Helping Hands
Rules, Policies and Codes
The University operates on the basis of its rules, policies and codes of practice and conduct. Most university wide policies can be found in the policy directory. The policy directory provides the university community with links to valid university rules, policies, and codes. Some of the most relevant policies for students are:
Academic Grievance Policy (Coursework and Honours Students)
Academic Grievance Policy (Higher Degree Research Students)
Code of Practice -Teaching and Assessment
Code of Practice -Practical Placements
For the most part students don't need to know anything about the difference between rules, policies and codes but if you need to know here's a simple guide .
Rules
Rules are derived from the University of Wollongong Act (1989) which empowers the University Council to make By-Laws. The University of Wollongong has only one: The University of Wollongong By-Law (2005) which has the same effect as parliamentary legislation. From this By-Law the University Council has made rules. These rules are the big picture framework by which the university governs the registration and enrolment of students, followed by students' progression through their course and their qualification for courses offered by the University.
Policies
Policies are statements that outline non-discretionary governing principles and intentions in order to guide University practice. Policies generally apply to the University as a whole. They comply with all relevant legislation and rules and shall be approved by the highest delegated authority (the University Council and/or Administrative Committee). Broadly speaking there are two kinds of policy, operational and academic policies. Operational policies are policies with a university-wide effect in respect to the administrative and operational functions of the University. Academic policies are policies with a university-wide affect on teaching, learning, research and internationalisation. Sometimes it can be hard to see how university policies have much relevance to student life but in specific circumstances policies become vital tools for managing how things work.
Codes of Practice/Conduct
A Code of Practice or Conduct is a statement of rules and expectations which have been approved in some formal way but without the legal force of legislation or regulations. They focus on duties and responsibilities for particular circumstances, often outlining the required standard of behaviour. Codes of Practice and Conduct have the most substantial impact on the day to day business of studying. The Code of Practice-Teaching and Assessment, for instance, details how lecturers and tutors provide information to students; the Code of Practice-Students maps out the responsibilities of students when in the classroom; and the Code of Conduct-Library spells out what behaviour is acceptable in the library and what behaviour isn't.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Plan ahead with Session and Key Dates ยป